‘State governing of knowledge’ – constraining social work research and practice (original) (raw)
Related papers
Knowledge lost - or gained? The changing knowledge base of Danish social work
Nordic Social Work Research
As the institutional setting and conditions of Danish social work have changed to attain new levels of efficiency, social work practice has changed substantially. The demands for social services of high quality have intensified as a result of high priority cases of neglect and maladministration, as well as municipalities exceeding their budgets. This article explores the consequences of the extensive reform initiatives targeted at Danish social work services. The reforms generate new demands for monitoring, regulating, evidence-basing and evaluating social work, and new processes and ways of knowing the professional object of social work are required to meet these demands. The overall research object is thus the emergence of new social work epistemologies. Setting out from the theory of the professional knowledge base, the article explores how elements of the professional knowledge base in social work are prioritised, changed and sculpted because of organisational reforms. The analysis is grounded in two qualitative case studies, both based on multiple types of qualitative data (fieldwork, interview transcripts and document analysis). The first case study investigates organisational responses to high priority cases, while the second study investigates the consequences of introducing assessment software as a decisionmaking tool in social work. The organisational changes and initiatives underpin two different models of reality in social work, and while possibly strengthening practitioners' knowledge base, social work might encounter various pitfalls as a result of the discrepant goals of reforms.
From Opinion-Based to Evidence-Based Social Work: The Swedish Case
Research on Social Work Practice, 2010
This article presents an account of Sweden's Institute for Evidence-Based Social Work Practice (IMS), located in Stockholm, Sweden. The article places IMS in the context of making Swedish social care services less opinion-based and more evidencebased. The institute is an example of how policy-driven processes promote the use of evidence-based practices in this European nation. The article includes presentations of history, organization, and products of IMS, and concludes with comments on future opportunities and challenges.
Evidence Based Practice in Contemporary Social Work Practice
Using an example, or examples, with which you are particularly familiar, critically discuss the following: Social work is now catching up with its EBP but some still disagree about its value in social work practice- Arthur Gwagwa In critically discussing the above hypothesis, this essay evaluates cross-cultural and cross -disciplinary literature with a particular emphasis on social work, whilst specific examples are drawn from statutory adult mental health. In the course of the discussion, the emergence of EBP in medicine from North America and its tentative reception into social work in the late nineties is critically discussed. Its subsequent watersheds are evaluated and chronicled. Particular emphasis is paid to its cross-jurisdictional uneven and asymmetrical growth as well as its adoption and adaptation to local cultural conditions. The skeptism, methodological tensions, conceptual issues, barriers and promoters that have been on its route are critically examined. Attention is also given to the extent to which it has diffused into both cross -cultural social work policy and practice. Through a critical evaluation of reviewed literature, this essay aims both to establish a consensual academic baseline, and examine the points of and reasons for dissension whilst at the same time heralding tentative cross-cultural future trends. To that end much reliance is put on the leading works in this area as fully set out in the appended annotated bibliography. The essay concludes that although reviewed literature advance different views of EBP, taken together, they all provide a balanced baseline that EBP is currently in inception stage in social work practice. Whilst the social work task force report (DOH, 2009) provides a political and policy contextual framework within which EBP could sit and take strength, it is too early to express optimism. However, the fact that EBP has been adopted at policy level will fundamentally affect practice (Gray et al, 2009). It should be debated further rather than prematurely dismissed because its potential benefits outweigh objections to it (Gibbs & Gambrill, 2002). From reviewed literature it is apparent that EBP is currently being used to shape policies mainly by western governments especially in light of the current competitive economic climate (Gray et al, 2009). For example, Stanhope & Solomon (2008) highlight how scientific approaches have been driving the benchmarking and modernisation of public services in the UK and the Mental Health reform in the USA. Despite some misgivings about it, EBP is part of a wider movement to generate uniformity and quality control by streamlining processes in major world economies and appears to be sitting well with the current UK welfare to workfare agenda (Webber, 2008).
International Journal of Social Welfare, 2015
Despite the recent movement towards greater research use in many areas of social work, criticisms persist that decision making in practice is seldom informed by sound research evidence. Discourse about the research-to-practice gap in social work has tended to focus on the feasibility of evidence-based practice for the profession, but has rarely drawn from the broader knowledge utilisation literature. There are important understandings to be gained from the knowledge utilisation field, which spans more than six decades of interdisciplinary research. This article introduces the wider knowledge utilisation literature to a social work audience. It considers the potential of this body of literature to facilitate research use in social work, as well as conceptual issues that may be hindering it from informing improvements to research utilisation in practice.
Attitudes toward and Utilization of Evidence-based Practice among Norwegian Social Workers
Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work
Purpose: This study analyzes Norwegian social workers' attitudes toward evidence-based practice (EBP). Method: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 30 social workers and managers from social services and child welfare services. Results: Social workers were positive about EBP, yet confused about it, rarely distinguishing between EBP, empirically supported treatments (ESTs), experience-based knowledge and research when describing the concept. Five barriers to conducting EBP were identified: (i) concerns regarding a negative impact on the relationship with the client, (ii) lack of time, (iii) a top-down implementation approach, (iv) restriction of social workers' autonomous decisionmaking, (v) EBP research models not always suiting the client's/ family's need. Two benefits for practicing EBP were identified: (i) utilization of research in practice, (ii) utilization of general guidelines in decision-making processes. Discussion: The empirical material demonstrated that the social workers valued multiple types of knowledge when making informed decisions. The most prominent were practical and theoretical knowledge. Conclusion: The findings confirm recent studies, but also suggest a need for future research to bridge gaps in knowledge transfer.
Opinions about evidence: A study of social workers’ attitudes towards evidence-based practice
2012
Summary: This article reports on a large survey of Australian Social Workers regarding their attitudes to evidence-based practice and their thoughts on the factors affecting its implementation in human service organisations. Findings: Findings from a national survey of Australian social workers found a degree of support for evidence-based practice (EBP) with the majority of respondents reporting changes in practice due to the influence of research. A sample size of 364 social workers formed the basis of the final analysis. Both the support for EBP and the reported changes in practice due to new evidence was highest among social workers in management positions and those with between 10 and 30 years of post-qualifying practice experience. The survey also found, however an unsophisticated understanding of evidence and EBP and 'inadequate' skills in the critical appraisal of research. Applications: Despite the level of support for EBP, responses to open-ended
What Does Social Work Have to Offer Evidence-based Practice
2009
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a relatively recent incarnation in social work's long history of valuing evidence as a basis for practice. Few argue with the ethics and usefulness of grounding practice in empirically tested interventions. Critics of EBP instead focus on how it is defined and implemented. Critiques include what counts as evidence, who makes decisions regarding research agendas and processes, and the lack of attention to context. This essay reflects on such critiques and suggests that social work, as a profession that values human diversity, equality, and self-determination, is well situated to shed light on such debates about EBP. As a profession that supports a person-in-environment perspective, we must examine not only the theory but the practice of EPB in academic, institutional, and societal settings. It is also argued that, owing to our professional mission, it is not enough to acknowledge the risk of oppression and harm; we are obligated to take them seriously and include such potential for harm in our assessment of so-called best practices. Keywords: Evidence-based practice, Social work ethics, Social work profession, Standards of Evidence, Social work values, Research, Research Ethics
To EBP or Not To EBP?: Social Work's Dilemma with Evidence Based Practice
PRAXIS, 2007
Evidence-based practice (EBP) continues to be a widely debated and tentatively accepted movement in social work. Although there is a great deal of discussion of evidence-based practice within the professional literature, mainstream social work seems to be generally unaltered by this movement. This paper explores the history and evolution of social work knowledge development and the relationship between social work knowledge and practice in the context of the evidence-based practice movement. Evidence-based practice can be a useful framework to guide social work toward meeting the challenges of the profession, more effectively helping our clients and being better positioned to confront social problems. Adopting evidence-based practice will not be easy; there are a number of challenges, implications and choices that need to be considered. Critically considering evidence-based practice in the field of social work will put us in a better position to evaluate how we practice, and challenge us to do better.